Msgr. Schaedel’s letter for bulletin of February 18, 2001:

Dear Parishioners,

Well, here I am, back from vacation. It was only too short! But, to be honest, I am glad to be back home. As Dorothy said in The Wizard of Oz, “There’s no place like home!”

I spent the first five days on Maui. Thanks to several good friends, I spent some relaxing time there. We flew to Honolulu for the Pro-Bowl on February 4, then back to Maui.

The next four days were spent in Naples, Florida, where I attended the annual convention of Legatus. This is an organization of Catholic CEO’s founded by the Domino Pizza King, Tom Monaghan. I am the chaplain of the Indiana Chapter of Legatus. We were treated to an amazing array of speakers including: Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua of Philadelphia, Chuck Colson, Bill Bennett, George Will, Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver, Cal Thomas, Deal Hudson, and U.S. Senator Rick Santorum and his wife, Karen, of Pennsylvania.

Our Indiana Chapter sponsored the talk given by Cal Thomas. I had the pleasure of having breakfast last Saturday morning with Mr. Thomas and his wife. Perhaps you’ve read Cal’s columns in the Indianapolis Star. He is really witty. Senator Santorum’s address about the sanctity of human life and the need to vote according and seek legislation protecting all human life was absolutely outstanding!

Last Saturday evening Archbishop Edwin O’Brien of the Archdiocese for the United States Armed Services was the main celebrant for the closing Liturgy. This Mass was also the “debut” of The Ave Maria Mass. This Latin Mass was newly composed by Stephen Edwards. His parents, Martin and Rosalie Edwards, are members of the Detroit Legatus Chapter.

A year ago, Tom Monaghan, founder of Legatus, approached Mrs. Edwards, an accomplished musician in her own right, to ask if Stephen might be interested in writing something in honor of the chapel that Tom had erected at the organization’s headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Instead of a single song, Stephen asked Tom if he would commission a Mass. Tom’s response to Stephen was poetic: “I ask you for a flower, and you give me a dozen roses!”

The newly composed Latin Mass was outstanding. The music was provided by the University of Miami Chorale and the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra.

After the convention, I spent three days visiting my brother in Sarasota. All along the way, the weather was great also. But now it’s back to life as usual.

I arrived home just in time to help my parents celebrate their 59th wedding anniversary on Valentine’s Day. That is something to celebrate! As many of you know, my dad has been hospitalized off and on since June for lung-related problems. This latest stint in the hospital has been for over a month now. I had the unique privilege of celebrating mother and dad’s anniversary Mass in his hospital room last Wednesday evening. Please continue to keep him in your prayers. He is doing much better but has a long way to go.

I can hardly believe it myself, but Lent is only about ten days away. Ash Wednesday is February 28. This year Easter lands on April 15.

As usual, Holy Rosary will provide a number of opportunities for spiritual growth and additional prayer during the days of Lent. We will have two Masses every weekday: A Latin Mass Monday through Friday at Noon and on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.; an English Mass each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evening at 5:30; Stations of the Cross after both Masses on Fridays. As usual, we will have confessions before every Mass—seven days a week. Please plan to take advantage of these opportunities as we approach the penitential season of Lent.

From my “travelogue” above, it’s obvious that I have spent lots of time on airplanes these past two weeks. Either in a homily or in this bulletin letter, I think I can come up with some interesting Lenten reflections based on people you meet on airplanes: People who don’t listen; People who have to carry all of their baggage with them; People who are demanding, etc. What an interesting bunch!

Faithfully yours in God’s Providence,

Rev. Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel